Jailed driver could face "three strikes'

Dennis J. Opatrny, OF THE EXAMINER STAFF

Published 4:00 am, Tuesday, September 17, 1996

1996-09-17 04:00:00 PDT SAN FRANCISCO -- The driver accused of ramming a taxi, killing two men and injuring two others, has told a judge he's innocent, but he may face a "three strikes" charge that could send him to prison for at least 25 years.

Reuben Johnson, 24, pleaded not guilty to eight felony counts Monday in connection with the Sept. 8 crash. Municipal Judge Dorothy von Beroldingen ordered him back to court next week to set a preliminary hearing date.

Johnson remains in custody with bail set at $100,000.

He was charged with two counts of vehicular manslaughter, drunken driving, evading police, running a red light, driving without a valid license and with an open container and speeding.

Johnson's wife, Amelia, 19, was also injured. She suffered a fractured leg and facial scrapes. He sustained a liver laceration and other injuries.

John Shanley, spokesman for the district attorney, said Johnson had two previous convictions - for attempted robbery and for robbery - that made him eligible to become a "three strikes" candidate.

Shanley said it was uncertain whether District Attorney Terence Hallinan would charge the third strike. That will be determined by Hallinan and a panel of prosecutors in his office.

If Johnson is charged and convicted of a third strike, he faces a sentence of 25 years to life in state prison.

Police suspect Johnson was fleeing from a Tenderloin confrontation between his brother and another man during which a shot was fired. Officers say they pursued him at 50 mph, but dropped two blocks behind his car while following department procedures that limit their speeds during chases.&lt;